Coach shares chewy treats to win over crowd

Look up into the stands at Keeter Stadium at any given time, and you might see a number of folks with mouths full of sugary, pink bubble gum.

That's because Michael Coryell, head coach for the team from Hopewell, N.J., Post 339 has taken a unique approach to winning over the crowd as his team battles through the American Legion World Series.

Coryell said on the first night the team arrived in Shelby, their Host Sponsor Eastside Baptist Church gave him six bags of Double Bubble gum. He quickly decided to use the chewy treats to familiarize people with his team.

"This all started on the first night, during our picnic," he said. "The church gave me a few bags of the gum, and I thought it would be a great way to meet the crowd."

Coryell then went to Wal-Mart and bought 12 more bags and swung by Dunham's Sports for six buckets.

"I'm not really sure if there's any Double Bubble left in Shelby," he said, tossing a few pieces to members of the Randolph County team who were warming up nearby.

In between games, Coryell can be found walking the stands, tossing pieces of gum up into the crowd. He said he's gotten his other coaches and bat boys on board.

As for what his players think about the endeavor, Coryell said, "This just confirms their belief that I'm nuts."

For the coach and his team, the World Series is about more than just winning, and this, he said is an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"We never see crowds like this. When we play at home, it's our family and friends, so it's really cool to have all these different people out here watching us play," he said. "It's important to realize just what this is. Yes, they want to win, but we'll have fun, and we'll leave it all on the field."

Elise Franco can be reached at 704-669-3337 or efranco@shelbystar.com.